Vetnews March 2023: Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease in the Dog: A Case Based Review

Introduction

Legg Calvé Perthes disease is a developmental disorder affecting the femoral head in small breed dogs weighing less than 12kg (Thak et al, 2013), between 4 and 12 months old (Warren and Dingwall, 1972). Synonyms for this disease include; avascular necrosis of the femoral head, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, Perthes disease, Legg-Perthes disease, osteochondritis, coxae juvenilis, coxa plana, and idiopathic osteosis (Scott and Witte, 2012; Warren and Dingwall, 1972). Characteristic clinical symptoms include non-weight bearing lameness, pain on extension of affected joint, decreased coxo-femoral joint range of motion, and disuse atrophy of muscles in the affected limb (Thak et al, 2013).